May 2, 1863: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville

Throughout 1863, Robert E. Lee fought back against the Union advance toward Richmond. The Peninsula Campaign, was Union General George B. McClellan’s attempt to seize the Confederate capital of Richmond. Confederate President Jefferson Davis promoted his military advisor, Robert E. Lee to take command of the army and push back McClellan. Lee was able to push back McClellan at the Battle of Seven Pines; however, the battle would prove not only to be a watershed moment for Lee but also for another of his generals. During the battle, troops under the command of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led the charge against the Union soldiers. Jackson cut a very interesting figure. He was an uncompromising hypochondriac. He would suck lemons in the heat of battle, and keep one arm lifted because he felt it kept “the blood balanced.” However even with all of quirks, he was a brilliant tactician, with an utter disregard for the lives of his soldiers. But his soldiers loved him because he brought them victories. He earned the moniker “Stonewall,” because during the Battle of First Bull Run, his regiment stood “as a stonewall” during withering Union fire. Throughout the Spring of 1862, Lee and Jackson would battle union forces into submission. Lee would unsuccessfully attempt to invade the North, being repulsed at the Battle of Antietam. In the Winter of 1863, Lee would reengage Union forces at the Battle of Fredericksburg. The Battle would prove to be one of Lee’s and Jackson’s greatest victories. That April, Lee would attack Union forces at Chancellorsville.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln appointed Joseph Hooker as overall commander of Union forces. In April, Hooker rode down into Virginia to link up with his army. The army was still reeling for its defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Lee’s Confederates were still garrisoned at Fredericksburg but when he received word that Union forces were gathering at nearby Chancellorsville, he dispatched his army to the small Virginia town. Lee decided to divide his forces and attack Hooker’s army from both sides. He gave Jackson the honorary task of attacking the army on its flank. Jackson’s troops caught the Union soldiers completely off guard. The surprise attack nearly overwhelmed Union soldiers, but by the afternoon, they were able to reestablish their lines. That night Jackson went out to reconnoiter his lines. As he was headed back, his own soldiers mistook him for a Union picket and opened fire. The bullets ripped through his body. He was taken to nearby field hospital to have his mangled arm amputated. Lee was devested at the lose of such an able field commander. Jackson stayed in hospital for many days, eventually developing pneumonia. He succumbed to the illness nine days later.